Ribbon-inker for printing and addressing machines.



D. C. HUGHES. RIBoN INKER FOR PRINTlNG AND ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED-SEPT. 6, 1910.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. ,ffm

D. C. HUGHES. RIBBON INKER FOR PRINTING ANl) ADDRESSING MACHINES.

. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1910. 1,088,072. Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

D. G. HUGHES.

RIBBON INKBR POR PRINTING AND ADDRBSSING MACHINES. -1 APPLICATION HLBD S2916, 1910.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914 6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

QQ/Mz any@ D. C. HUGHES. RIBBON INKER FOR PRINTING AND ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLIATIN FILED SEPT. 6, 1910. 1,088,072 Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

D. C. HUGHES. RIBBON INKBR FOR PRINTING AND ADDRESSING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1910.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

D. C. HUGHES.

RIBBON INKER FOR PRINTING AND ADDRBSSING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1910. 1,088,072. Patented Feb. 24, 1914 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

mmm@

le@ f y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVYDD C'. HUGHES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO JOHN B. HALL AND JOSEPH S. DUNCAN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RIBBON-INKER FOR PRINTING AND ADDRESSING MACHINES.

Application filed September 6, 1910.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914. serial No. 580,545.

To all uf/fom if 71u13/ conce/'21.'

Be it known that l. DAvvnn (l. Ht'onns, a citizen ot the lfnited States. and resident ot Chicago, (Took county, Illinois, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Ribbon-hikers for Printing and Address ing' Machines. oll which the following is a full. clear. and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to malte and use the same.

The object ol my invention is to provide, in assori'iation with machines of this character. an inked ribbon or fabric for supplying the necessary ink for the printing opera tion, together with mechanism which wilt feed the. ribbon to the printing' mechanism, so that the ribbon. while havinp,` a considerable movement during each printing` operation, will have a resultant, progressive move ment` at` a comparatively slower rate ot speed, but sutiicient so thatl it will present a relatively dilliereut. portion otI its surface for each printing' operation and which, in consequence of this manner otC feeding' the ribA bon, will be very economical by reason ot' a reduction in the number and hence in the cost ot ribbons lor a given number of printed impressions.

A further object ot my invention contemplates the provision of a ribbon inking inechanism. as above outlined. which will be entirely automatic in its operation and which will positively feed a relatively new portion oll the ribbon .stu-'lace to the printing mechanistn during' each printingy opei'ation until a given total length ot' ribbon has passed the printing' position and then reverse the direction ol feed ot ribbon to repass it through the printing position.

A further object ol my invention is to provide a ribbon inliiir;r mechanism which will be'siinple in construction and reliable in operationT and which will require practically no attention during the operation ot the machine except when it. is necessary to chantre the ribbon.

l will describe my invention b v reference to the accompanying' dra wings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal setiional view on line. ll 1 ol' Fig. 2 of the forward por tion ol a printingF machine and shows in association therewith a ribbon tced structure embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plait vit-w of the machine shown in Fig'. 1, the paper feeding mechanism being removed to expose the various parts in their relative operating positions; Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the ribbon inking mechanism; Fig. et 1s an enlarged sectional View on line #tds-4lk of Fig. l looking from above; Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial view in section on line 5&5 of Fig. 7; Fig. 6 is a partial vertical section on line (intl of Fig. l; Fig. T is a sectional view on line 7-7 ot Fig. 5; Fig. is a sectional view on line 8 8 of Figf't'; Fig'. tl is a sectional view on line tt-9 of Fig. 4 showing the cams which determine fractional lengths of advance and retraction of the ribbon; Fig. 1() is a perspective View oll one ot said cams; Fig. 11 isa .sectional view online l1-11 ot' Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line 12-12 of Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the conveyer mechanisin and the ribbon driving chain.`

Like parts will be referred to by similar reference characters throughout the several views.

l have chosen to illustrate my invention in connection with a printing or addressing machine of the class used in the "Rogers addressing system." ln printing' machines ot this class a plurality ol unit or individual type holders, 'each containing printing,` type characters. are stacked up in a magre zine at the rear of the machine and from this magazine they are withdrawn one by one at timed intervals by a conveyer and passed through the printing mechanism. A piece of paper o1' other printable material is passed through the printing' mechanism simulta neonsly with a type holder and the printing: mechanism presses the paper and type holder together in order to produce a printed iniprcssion upon said paper. The type char act-ers which are carried by the type holders are usually made similar to the ordinary typewriter type. the reason for this being that it is desirable to ha\e the impressions on the paper resemble typewritten iinpressions. It is essential then, in order to obtain the ribbon effect, which is characteristic of the ordinary typewriter impressions, to interpose or intervene an inked ribbon between the face ol the type and the paper upon which the imliression is to be made so that when the paper and tvpe holders pass through the printing mechanism the type will print through the ribb`on and thereby malte an impression similar to that made bv a typewriter I have therefore provided it ers bein ribbon and mechanism associated with the machine adapted to feed the ribbon through the printing mechanism in a proper manner to supply the necessary ink for the printing operation. I therefore interpose an inked ribbon between the paper and the type holders as they pass through the printing mechanism and provide mechanism for properly feeding the ribbon.

In order that an understanding of the entire machine may be had, I will describe the various operating mechanisms and their relation to each other in the following order: the frame, the magazine, the conveyor, the paper feed mechanism, the drawer or receptacle for discharged type plates, the ribbon inking mechanism.

The fremd-Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2. Since all of the mechanisms which make up the complete machine must necessarily be maintained in position in proper o erative relation to each other, I have provi ed a frame for supporting these various parts. This frame comprises two side members 1 arranged parallel and rigidly secured together but spaced apart to afford a strong, substantial, supporting structure. The side members are preferably of east metal and of suitable form to accommodate the operating mechanisms and at the same time render the machine as light in weight as possible. The magazine 2 is vertically disposed at the rear end of the frame. In this magazine a stock of individual type holders are placed for removal therefrom one at a time by the conve-yer mechanism. The eonveyer mecharism extends substantially ithe entire length' of the frame along the up er portion thereof and comprises a pair o endless sprocket chains which are carried by suitable sprocket wheels disposed at each end of the frame. The printing mechanism is located at the forward end of the frame and is adapted to receive typel plates from the conveyer mechanism and press them into engagement with the pieces of paper also fed thereto, and then discharge both paper and type holders, the type holddirected downwardly into a comparativey long,'narrow drawer while the "paper is discharged into a temporary receptacle placed in front ofthe machine. The

paper feed mechanism is mounted in a separate carria e pivoted about midway of the length of t e framework at the upper portionthereof. It lies above the path of the type holders through the machine and at the intake side of the printing mechanism in position to feed thereto the printable material upon which imprints are to be made.

The ribbon for supplying the necessary ink l for the printing operations is stretched prot'- erably parallel to the path of type holders and between two reels or holders, one of which is located at the upper portion of the framework between the magazine and the printing mechanism, and the other of which is carried by an extension at the forward end of the frame.

The type holder magazine- As previously stated, the type holder magazine 2 is mounted in a vertical upstanding position at the rear end of the franiework. In this magazine a stack of individual type holders are placed and by which they arel maintained in condition to be extracted or removed from the lower end thereof one by one and carried along the upper portion of the framework by the conreyer mechanism. It is comprised of two upstanding side plates 2 (Figs, 1 and 2) between which the type holders are arranged in stacked order. These plates have hinged iianges which retain the type holders in a vertical stack in the magazine.

Z'zc convey/cr mechanism.--The conveyer mechanism extends substantially the entire length of the frame. It comprises a pair of endless chains 4 arranged in parallel relation and carried by sprocket wheels at each end of the frame. The forward sprockets 5 are carried upon a shaft 6 journaled in suitable bearings 7 in the forward end of the frame, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The rear sprocket wheels are not shown. However, they constitute a part of the Rogers machine and need not be particularly described eX- cept to say that they are mounted upon a shaft journaled in suitable bearings at the rear end of the frameworklin a manner similar to the forward sprockets. For the purpose of an understanding thereof, I have indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 13 the conveyer chains and the forward and rear sprockets upon' which the chains are carried. In thisrview, 4 indicates one of the endless chainsv while 5 indicates one of the forward sprockets and 5 a rear sprocket mounted upon a shaft 8. From the shaft 8 the ribbon inking mechanism receives its motion through the medium of a sprocket chain 9 as will be hereinafter described. The upper sides of the conveyor chains move in grooves or channels 10--10 in the upper face of a guide or bed plate 11 which is disposed along the upper edges of the frame members 1 and which extends substantially the length of the conveyer mechanism, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Each chain is provided with lugs 12 at intervals adapted to engage the lowermost type holders in themagazine and move them forward along the 1ruide plate 11 to the forward end of the rame 23 ripleral speed.

30 connected with the rear shaft 8.

with the forward end of the conveyer and is vportion of its surface substantially tlush with the guide plate 1l so that the type. 5 holders, as they leave the end of the guide plate. ride over the surface of the drum and drop down through a chute 1T, the chute being located as is apparent at the delivery side of the printing mechanism in position to receive the type holdersl therefrom. The

upper or pressure roll 111 oi' the printing?r mechanism is disposed axially parallel with the drum and is rotatably mounted upon the swingrable carriage 1S which spans or 1:, bridges the upper forward portion of the framework, and which adapted to swing upwardly on its pivots 20. in order to separare the drum and roll of the printing mechnism when desired. The lower drum remotion from the conveyer chains 4. Suitable l(rear mechanism not shown is provided between the shaft t) and the upper pressure roll 1H so that the drum and roll will be rotated in unison with the same peli might he well to mention at this point that the machine may be driven either manually by a crank C on the outer end of the shaft t5. as shown in Fig. 2, or by an electric motor (not shown) which may be 1t will thus be seen that by means of the printinr mechanism the type holders and pieces of printable material, as they pass simultaneously therethrough, will be pressed into intimate engagement between the drum and the pressure roll, and an impression will be made upon the printable material. This occurs periodically as the conveyer mechanism brings a type holder forward to the printing mechanism and the paper feed mechanism sin'iultaneously advances thereto a piece of printable material.

The paper feed mechanism is disposed above the path of the type holders through the machine and adjacent to and at the intake side of the printing mechtmism and in position to feed pieces ol' paper to the printingr mechanism. lt is adapted to periodically feed the paper in time to meet the type holders upon their arrival at the,

printing mechanism so that the.paper and type holders will pass together through the printing mechanism, the pieces of paper bes lng above the type holders. The feed mechanism is mounted upon the swingal'ile carringe 18. It comprises a feed roll 23 dis` posed parallel `to the pressure roll 1t' of the printingr mechanism. and a paper holding' plate 24 having: a ledge parallel with the @0 Surface of the feed roll, A magazine ha ving two angularly related floors 25S and 2t', is associated with the feed mechanism for holding a pack of pieces of paper in proper position on the plate 24. The feed roll ro fates in unison with the pressure roll of the l printing mechanism and receives its motion 4through suitable intermediate gears (not t shown). It is adapted to frictionally withdraw sheets of paper one at a time from the l magazine and feed them diagonally downi wardly along a guide plate 2T to the space between the roll and drum of the print-ing mechanism. At this point the pieces of paper meet the type holdersl and pass therewith through the printinzgr mechanism.

Vlt is essential in a machine of this character that the advance of the paper be controlled and timed so that itl will meet the type holder at the proper time. This timing of the paper is controlled by means of stopping and releasing' dogs 2o. l`he periods of action and inaction of the dogs are controlled by means of a cam 29 mounted upon the shaft 6 and a system of levers 30 operated thereby, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

The drawer or receptacle for discharged y//w platea-dt will be noted by reference t0 Fig. 1 that the chute 1,7 is disposed at the delivery side of the printing mechanism in position to receive the discharged type plates therefrom and direct them downwardly. A comlniratively long, narrow receptacle 0r drawer 32 is .suitably supported between the, side members of the frame along the, lower portion thereof. The front end 0f this drawer is disposed below the mouth of the chute 17 in position to receive the type holders' 3 therefrom. drop into the drawer they are engaged by a pusher meclnrnisln 33 and pushed toward the rear end of the drawer in a manner to form a stack in the drawer. The drawer is removable from the machine so that it may be tiled with its stack of type holders in a tiling,` cabinet. i

771e M7/bon alf/ing mcc/Lamm/Lf-In a machine ot' this character it wouldV be possible to supply the type holders with ink at some point. in their path through the machine and before they reach the printiner mechanism, but if they were inked in 'this manner the ribbon effect, which is desirable in the chine, could not he obtained. l therefore intcrpose an inked fabric. or ribbon between the type holders and the pieces of paper at the printing` mechanism in such a lnanner that. tht` printing mechanism presses the typeholder. the piece of paper and that portion of the. ribbon which is in the printingr positioninto intimate engagement, thereby causingr the type to make their impression upon the paper through ,the ribbon. This ribbon 35 (Figs. 1 and 3) is disposed above the ,duide plate 11 and is substantially parallel with the path of the type holdersl I through the machine in order that it will lie *t tlat upon the printing faces of the type. It is stretched between two reels or holders 3G and 37 disposed on opposite sides of the character of the work performed by the mal printing mechanism. For convenience of explanation I term the reel 36`the payout reel and the reel 37 the take-up reel. As shown in Fig. 5 the pay-out reel is mounted upon a shaft 39 journaled in a" suitable bearing 40 formed in the gear casing 41. The gear casing has a shoulder 4Q which rests upon the upper edge of one of the side members 1 of the frame and is seeurrly clamped thereon by means of the bolt/lf3. It will be noted that the shaft 39 and its journal bearing 40 project laterally from the gear casing a proper distance to position the reel in proper alinement with the printing mechanism, the projecting end of the journal being strengthened by a web 44. rThe pay-out reel is rotatably mounted upon its shaft. lt is, however, clamped between a collar #t5 on the shaft and a thumb-nut 4-(3 so that the reel will rotate with the shaft, the thumb-nut being screwed on the end of the. shaft so as to permit the reel to be removed when it is desired to remove or change the ribbons. This reel is adapted -to be positively driven by gear mechanism in either direction to pay ont the ribbon or to wind' it up on said reel., as will be hereinafter described.

The ribbon, as will be seen, is stretched through the printing mechanisln and supported in position by a reel or holder 3T which for convenience l term a take-up reel. and which is mounted upon a shaft 47 carried in extensions 4S on the forward end of the frame. Since the pay-out reel alternately pays out aud pulls back portions or lengths of ribbon. the take-up reel must wind up the ribbon which is paid'out,

but it also must respond to the action of the "pay-out reel when the ribbon is being pulled back. lVhile it would be possible to actuate the take-up reel by frictional driving mechanism or by spring mechanism in such a i'nanner as to constantly tend to rotate the reel in one direction. but render it vieldable when-,the ribbon is being pulled back. l find that th spring actuatingmechanisnx. contained within the reel, forms a .simple and effective means of accomlilishing this purpose. This spring actuating mechanism consists of' a number of spiral sections or coils 4t). as clearly shown in Figs. 1l, and 1Q. the outer end of one coil being secured to the inner end of the adjacent coil by means of cup-.shaped members 50 and their hubs 5l so as to constitute a series and afford uniform` tension throughout a wide range of rotation of the reel. The several coils of the series` are. all contained within the closed hollow casing and one of the `series is anchored at 52:3 to this casing'.

The casing is prevented from rotating by means of a lathe-dog 54 clamped on the hub 55 of the casing, the end of this donr being secured by means of the bolt 56 to a depending bail 48 on the ends of the extensions 48. The other end of the series is pinned at 57 to the hub of the gear 5S. rl`his pin is connected through the pinion and spur gear 59 to a toothed sleeve 59', the pinion and spur gear being carried by a small studbolt 52 mounted on the side of the casing 52. The toothed sleeve 59 is fastened by means of its tianges 592 to the side of the reel. The reel itself is hollow and has fianges 37 at its ends for holding the ribbon on the reel as shown. The function of this mechanism is to 'maintain the ribbon in its properly stretched. flat condition during the operation of the machine, and while I have shown a multiple spiral spring to uniformly tension the ribbon throughout a large number of rotations of the reel thereby adapting it to a considerable length of ribbon, itis obvious that any other mechanism suit-able for the purpose may be used.

It is obvious that since the ribbon is pressed between a type holder and a piece 0f paper during their transit through the printing mechanismr` its length of niovement depends upon substantially the length of the lines of type in the type holder, and that it must move at the same speed as the type and paper so not to smudge the impression upon the paper. It is furthermore desirable that the ribbon present a different or relatively new portion of its surface to each type holder as it passes through the machine so that the type Will malte a clear and uniform im'- pression upon the paper at each operation. Another desirable thing in a machine of this character is that the ribbon mechanism be entirely automatic in its operation and require practically no attention on the part of fthe operator until it becomesnecessary to substitute a new ribbon for a used or worn out one. From a .standpoint of economy it is advantageous tous s all the available inked surface of the ribbon. I have therefore provided a mechanism which is entirely alitomatic .in its operation and which feeds the ribbon in such a manner that it will he complrtelv used up and no portion of itl will be vasted and which also enables me to obtain all ofpthese advantages with a simple and reliable structure. B v this mechanism the ribbon is fed through the printing mechanism simultaneously with and at the same speed aS the type holders and pieces of paper while `hcy are in trau-it through the printing mechanism. ihr-'n the type holders have pas-led the printing mechanism 'the ribbon is retracted to a greater or lesser amount so that'. while for each printing operation the ribbon is advanced and retracted a considerable distance, the total progressive movement from one reel to the other is comparatively small. but it is sutiicient'. however, to present a relatively different ribbon surface' for each printimr operation. lin fact,

spo

the progressive movement of the ribbon is equal to the difference between the advance and retract of the ribbon and this, of course, may be made any desired amount to suit the requirements of the particular machine er of the Work which is performed thereby. 1 hai i also arranged this mechanism so that when a given total length of ribbon has been transferred from one reel to the other it automatically changes the relative fractional lengths of advance and retract and retrans`4 fers the ribbon back to the first reel. This operation will continue while the machine is in operation until the ribbon is completely used up or Worn out. and of course a new ribbon may then be substituted.

As previously stated, the pay-out reel 3G is positively driven in either direction by means of the train of gears contained in the casing 41. The gearing in this easing is divided into tivo sets or trains A and B for driving the reel shaft 8) and they are suitably journaled in bearings Within the casing to maintain them in their proper relation.' r1`he easing completely incloses and prrtects the gearing. It is divided, how ever, to permit access to the interior there of. The train A comprises the intermesh ing spur gears a. and b andr the train B eomprises gears c, (I, e, f and g, the two upper gears il, and being common toy both trains. The gears e and r! are connected together by the shaft le.

As previously stated, -the ribbon inking mechanism receives its motion through the medium of the sprocket chain 9 which extends tf the rear shaft 8 of the conveyer mechar ism and is driven ther by. This chain drives a sprocket (30 carried on the outer end of a shaft 61 journaled in a projecting bearing 62 of the frame member 1 and in a suitable bearing formed by the casing 41. Upon this shaft are freely mounted the gears L and g of the trains A and B respectively. and between said gears is a reversible clutch mechanism comprising the tivo outer members 6?) and (34, associated with the gears b and f/ respectively, and the shiftalile ii'itermediate member 65. The intermediale member G5 is splincd to rotate with. but to slide upon, the shaft into engagement with either one of the outer clutch members. as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and '7. The intermediate member is shifted into engagement with either one of the outer clutch members by means of a rock shaft 66 journaled in a suitable bearing in the lower end of the casing and carrying a bifurcated arm 67 which straddles the intermediate member and has short pins on its ends operating in a groeve. 68 in said member which pr'vy'ides operable connection between the arui and the intermediate member. The draft (3G is rocked in its bearings to shift the clut'h member, by means whichever cam is brought into engagement with it. Byreferring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, 1t W1ll be noted that these cams are 'mounted upon a hub 9() which is splined to rotate with but to slide or shift upon the shaft 91 which is journaled in a depending portion 92 of the framework. The shaft 91 receives its motion to drive the hub, from the shaft G of the rotary drum, through the medium of a train of intermeshing gears 93. The hub is shifted on the shaft by a lever 79, the short arm of which is bifurcated so as to straddle the hub. The bifurcations of said short arm have pins which ride in a groove 94 and permit the hub to turn but at the same time to furnish an operative connection by which the hub may be shifted. In this manner one or the other of the cams is brought into engagement with the roller 73.

As I have previously mentioned, a frac tional length of the ribbon is advanced while a :type holder and a piece of paper are in transit through the printing mechanism and a greater or lesser fractional length is retracted after the printing operation in order to give the ribbon a progressive movement equal to the difference between the fractional lengths of advance and retract. The cams 74 and 75 constitute the means of de termining the relative fractional lengths of advance and retract of the ribbon. Since the bell crank lever 68 is swung on its pivot by the cams it shifts the clutch mechanism associated With the two trains of gears A and B. It will be seen that by making these cams of different lengths, the clutch mechanis-m will be operatively connected with one of its outer members for a longer period of time than with its other outer member, and the consequence is that the pay-out reel will be, accordingly rotated to pay-outmore or less ribbon than it retracts. The gear Wheels e and f are mounted upon and drive a long shaft 75 journaled in suitable bearings in the side member 1 of the frame and in the gear casing 41. The free end of this shaft has screw threads, along which operates a traveling nut. 7G. Like the pay-out reel, this shaft is driven in either direction depending upon Whichever one of the trains of gears A and B is operatively connected with the clutch. In other words, if the clutch member 63 is connected to the inter- -mediate member, thereof, the shaft 75 is dri\ en in one direction through the medium of train A. shaft 7.? and back through train of a bell crank l B, while if clutch member 64 is in engagement with the intermediate member the shaft 75 is driven in the opposite direction directly through gears g and f of train BN It is clearly seen then that, due to the screw threads on the shaft, the nut 76 is given a movement upon its shaft similar to the movement of the ribbon, that is, it reciprocates on the shaft in a manner corresponding to the advance and retract of the ribbon, and like the ribbon its movement in one direction is greater or lesser than that in the other direction which. in consequence. gives it a progressive movement on the shaft. This nut constitutes the means for determining the total length of the ribbon which is transferred from one reel to the other. In this case the mechanism is so adjusted that the nut will travel progressively in either direction a distance corresponding substantially to the total length of the ribbon. The nut controls the cam mechanism which changes the relative fractional lengt hs of advance and retract of the ribbon so that when it reaches substantially the end of its progressive movement from one reel to the other the direction of the resultant. movement of the ribbon is reversed. It operates between substantially the limits indicated by dotted lines 7S and when it reaches either one of these limits it throws the lever 79 against one or the other of the cushioned stops 80 and this lever in turn shifts one or the other of the cams 74 and 75 into engagement with the roller 73. (Figs. 3, 7 and 8). Between the free end 81 of the lever 79 and the traveling nut 76 is a throwover mechanism which comprises two levers 82 and S3 pivoted upon a stud shaft 84 on the under side of the guide platev 11. The free end of arm 89 has a pin and slot connection with the traveling nut while the free end of the lever 83 is connected by a link 85 to the end 81 of lever 79. A spiral spring 8G is connected between pins 87 on said levers and places the levers under tension in a mannerwhieh tends to collapse or bring them together. As the traveling nut moves along its shaft it swings the lever S2 on its pivot until the spring SG passes the pivotal center vof the arms. The spring snaps over the lever 83 and the two arms assume similar' angular positions on the opposite side of their pivotal centers, as

shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. This action throws the lever 79 against the corresponding opposite stop 80 and causes one of the cams to be moved out of enga gement and the other into engagement with the roller 73 of bell crank leverl 68. As soon as this happens the cams change the relation of the fractional lengths of advance and retract of the ribbon, as previously stated, and the ribbon starts its progressive movement in the return direction.` The traveling nut correspondingly imitates the movement of the .ribbon until it reaches its other limit of travel and again repeats its'operation.

Referring now more particularlyto Fig. 3, I will describe the operation of the ribbon feed mechanism. In the printing machine which I have described and shown in this application, the conveyer mechanism and the rotary drum of the printing mechanism are so proportioned with relation to each other that a type holder is brought forward to the printing mechanism with each complete rotation of the drum, that is one type holder per revolution of the drum. This7 however, depends upon the number and position of the lugs on the eonveyerchains. Thus the necessity for one cycle of advance and retract of the ribbon for each revolution of the drum is apparent. Furthermore, it is apparent that the advance or forward movelnent of the ribbon must be coincident with and at the same speed as the passage of a type holder through the printing mcchanism. I have so constructedthe cams and proportioned their driving gear train 93 that the clutch will be operated once for each revolution of the drum. The cams and the lugs on the conveyer chains are related to each other in such a manner that the cams operate the clutch to advance the ribbon simultaneously with the passage of a-'type holder and piece of paper through the printing mechanism. The train of gears A aS- sociated with the pay-out reel I term for convenience the advances train. l; This train is so proportioned that it will operate the reel 23o and pay out the ribbon at the same speed as that of the type holders when passing through the printing mechanism so as not to blur the impression on the paper which would obviously be the case if relative movement existed between the type holder and the ribbon. The length of the eam surt'ares hears a definite relation to the train of gearsB which for convenience I term the retract train. To be more specific` the cam 74 or i long i cam is of such length that it maintains the pay-out" gear train in operation long enough to pa'v out or advance a slightly greater fractional length of rib bon than is retracted by the retract train. Likewise the cam or short cam is of such length that it causes the "pay-out" train to ad vance a lesser fractional length of ribbon than is retracted by the retract" train. Thus it is apparent that when the am 74 is in operation the ribbon is advanced a greater fractional length than it is retracted and in consequence the ribbon is given a resultant progressive movement which grad ually transfers it to the take-up reel. Consistent with this explanation, the shorter cam, when in operation` causes a lesser frac tional length of ribbon to be advanced than is retracted and in eonseqnence the ribbon is given a resultant progressive movement which winds it up on the pay-out rcel and, as I have previously mentioned, the traveling nut operates to bring one or the other of the cams into engagement at each end of the given total length of ribbon.

In the particular printing machine herein shown, the interval between the arri val of type holders to the printing mechanism is considerably longer than the time actually consulned in the passage of a type holder v'through the printing mechanism. It is advisable, therefore, to bring about the ret 'action of the ribbon at a much slower rate than the advance thereof for the reason that it eliminates to a great extent the wear and tear on the mechanism which would be incident to comparatively high speeds. Accordingly, I have proportioned the B train or retract train of gears so that substantially all of the time between the end of the passage of one type holder through the print-ing mechanism and the arrival of the next type holder is consumed in retracting the ribbon. This method of operation gives the ribbon a chance to become settled or composed. so to speak. due to the action of the spring actuated take up reel and thereby be in complete readiness for the next advance.

Assuming that the various parts are in the condition shown in Fig, 3, the traveling nut is correspondingly in position at one end of its range of travel, indicated by the dotted lines 78 in Fig. 7, and the cam 75 is in operative relation to the roller 73 of bell crank lever 68. As each type holder and piece of paper arrive at the printing mechanism, the cam 75 simultaneously swings the bell crank lever (5S on its pivot and throws the intermediate clutch member in operative relation to the train of gears A and this train of gears advances the necessarv fractional length of ribbon at the saine speed as the type holder during the passage there of through the printing mechanism. After the type bolder and piece of paper passes the printing mechanism the cam 75 permits the spring 34' to return the bell crank lever and throw the intermediate clutch member into operative connection with the train of gears B. and this gear train retracts a greater fractional length of the ribbon at a slower speed and in consequence a length of ribbon equal to the difference between the lengths of advance and retract is wound upon the pay-out reel. This operation continues until substantially the total length of ribbon is wound upon the pay-out reel. and the traveling nut reaches the right hand limit of travel as shown in Fig. 7 and throws over the lever 79 to the positions shown in dotted lines, whereupon the cam 7i is shifted into engagement with the roller 73 and causes`r during its operation, a greater fractional length of ribbon to be advanced than is retracted, and as r. resultthe ribbon is given a resultant. progressive movement which Winds it up on the"'takcup" reel. The ribbon is thus transferred from one reel to the other until it is worn out.

The structure which I have shown in the drawings constitutes one embodiment of in v invention. It is particularly designed and adapted for association with printing inachines of the class used in the Rogers sys tem." It is evident, however. that my invention may be embodied in various structures designed to suit the requirements of the particular machines with which they are associated without departing from the spirit thereof.

l claim:

1. In a printing mechanism the comb1- nation with pressure rolls. of means by which printable material and impression carrying forms are simultaneously passed therebetween at timed intervals. an inked ribbon interposed between said printable material and said forms. holders for said ribbon maintaining it in relative position, and mechanism associated with said holders for transferring said ribbon from one holder to the other by a reciprocating. progressive movement for causing the ribbon to present a relatively new inked surface for each printing operation. said mechanism moving the ribbon forward synchronously with the form and material during the impression operation.

i2. In a printing mechanism the combination with pressure rolls, means by which type holders and pieces of printable material are simultaneously moved forward into printing position at timed intervals bei tween said pressure rolls. an inked ribbon interposed between a type holder and a piece of printable material at the printing position. holders for said ribbon, and mecha; nism associated therewith for advancing a portion of said ribbon during each impression operation of the machine synchronously with the holder and material and for retracting a lesser portion thereof after each printing operation to cause said ribbon to be progressively transferred from one holder to the other, and mechanism adjusted to change the length relation of the advance and retract portions of said ribbon after a predetermined total length of ribbon has been passed through the printing position, thereby causing said'ribbon to be retransferred to the original holder. .l

3. The combination of a printing machine in which type holders and pieces of paper are brought forward into printing position at timed intervals. of an inking ribbon interposed between a` type holder and a piece of paper at the printing position, a holder for said ribbon disposed on each side of said printing position for supporting;r the ribbon mechanism for reversing the direction of.

progressive movement of the ribbon after a predetermined total length of ribbon has passed the printing position.

4. The combination with a printing machine in whitn type plates and pieces of` printable material are passed forward into printing position at. definite intervals and at a given speed, of an inkedribbon interposed between the type plates and pieces of printable material at the printing position, holdersv for said ribbon, one positioned on each side of the printingl position, and mechanism associated therewith for advancing definite fractional lengths of said ribbon through the printing position atthe same speed as the type plate and printable material and for retraeting different fractional lengths of ribbon at a comparatively lower speed so that a total length of ribbon is resultantly transferred from oneholder to the other eqal to the total differences between the frat onal lengths of advance and reti-active mm ements.

5. The combination of a printing machine in which type holders and pieces of paper are brought together into printing position at regular periods, of an inked ribbon interposed between the paper and type holders at the printing position, a holder for said ribbon on each side of said printing position for maintainingr said ribbon in operative relation thereto, mechanism for advancing synchronously with 'the paper and type holder a fractional length of ribbon ythrough the printing position substantially equal to the length of printed impression made on said paper, and for retracting a lesser fractional length thereof after the printing coperation so that said ribbon is given an intermittent progressive movement` to transfer it from the one holder to the other, and mechanism. operable when a predetermined total length of ribbon has been transferred in one direction. for automatically changing the fractional length relations of advance and retract to'reverse the direction of progressive movement. of the ribbon for retransferring it to the original holder whereby said ribbon presents a relatively new ink `d surface for each printing operation.

6. A printing machine having a magazine in which a plurality of type holders arecontained and a magazine in Owhich a plurality of pieces of paper are contained, pressure rolls in the printing position for pressing a piece of paper upon a type holder, andniechanisms for simultaneously passing type holders and pieces of paper between said rolls at timed intervals, in combination with an inked ribbon intervened between a piece of paper and a type holder at the printing position, mechanism for advancing a )fractional length of said ribbon between said pressure rolls simultaneously with the passage therebetween of a type holder and a piece of paper, and for retracting a lesser fractional length of ribbon after the passage of said type holder and piece of paper, thereby causing the ribbon to intermittently travel progressively through the printing position so as to present a relatively new, inked surface for each printing operation, and mechanism for automatically changing the fractional lengths of advance and retraction of the ribbon after a predetermined total length of ribbon has passed the printing position to reverse the direction of progressive, travel of the ribbon.

7. A printing machine having a magazine in which a plurility of type holders are contained and a magazine in which a plurality of pieces of paper are contained, pressure rolls in the printing position for pressing a piece of paper upon a type holder and mechanism for automatically passing type holders and pieces of paper between said rolls at timed inter-vals, in combination with an inked ribbon intervened between a piece of paper and a type holder at the printing position, mechanism for advancing a fractional length of said ribbon between said pressure rolls simultaneously with the passage therebetween of a type holder and a piece of paper, and for retracting a lesser fractional length of ribbon during the' time interval between the passage of successive type holders and pieces of paper, thereby causing' the ribbon to intermittently traxel--f4 progressively through the. printing position so as to present a relatively new, inked surface :t or each printing operation, and mechanism for automatically changing the fractional lengths of advance and retraction of the ribbon after a predetermined total length of ribbon has passed the printing position to reverse the direction of progressive travel of the ribbon.

8. The combination with. a printing machine in which printing type holders and printable material are simultaneously passed through the printing position of said machine at timed intervals, of an inked ribbon interposed between the vtype holders and printable material at the printing position, a supply reel for said ribbondisposed at one side of said printing position, and an automatic take-up reel disposed at the opposite side of the printing position, both maintaining said ribbon in proper relation to ine printing position simultaneously with the= passage therethrough of .a type holder and' a piece of printable material and at the same speed, and for retractmg a lesser fractional length of ribbon during the time interval he- A.

tween the passage of type holders and printable material and at. a relatively slower speed,` thereby periodically transferring the resultant fractional lengths of said ribbon from the supply reel to the take-up reel, and mechanism adjusted to operate when a given total length of ribbon has been transferred for increasing the fractional length of retraction of the ribbon to transfer the y ribbon to the supply reels 9. A printing machine wherein type plates and pieces of paper are simultaneously passed through the printing mechanism of the machine at timed intervals, in con'ibination with the inked ribbon interposed between the type holders and the pieces of paper at the printing position, a pay-out7 holder and a. take-up i holder for the ribbon disposed on opposite sides of the printing position, gear mechanism for positively actuating said pay-out" reel to advance fractional lengths ot' ribbon simultaneously with the passage of corrcspomling type holders and pieces` of paper through the printing position and for retracting fractional lengths of ribbon during the intervals between the printing operations, cams controlling said gear mechanism and adjusted for ditterent fractional length relation of advance and retract to impart to said ribbon a resultant, progressive movement in either direction, a member associated with and operated by said gear mechanism and having a movement corresponding to that of the ribbon, and means operated by said member after it has moved progressively a predetermined amount in one direction for shifting said cams to change the relative lengths of ad Vance and retract and thereby reverse the progressive travel of the ribbon.

l0. A printing machine having a printing mechanism through which pieces of paper and type plates pass. together, in combina tion with a take-up reel and a pay-out 7 reel arranged on opposite sides of saidprint ing mechanism and having an inked ribbon extending therebetween and interposed between' the paper and type plate, mechanism actuating said take-up reel and exerting a constant pull on the ribbon in the direction vof movement of the paper and type plates, and another mechanism operating in unison'with said printing mechanism and actuating said pay-out reel for advancing a length of ribb'on t0 the take-up reel simultaneously with the passage of a piece of paper and a type plate through the printing mechanism, and for taking back a different length of ribbon against the pull `of said take-up reel after the 'age of a piece of paper and type plate through the printing mechanism, said mechanism thereby advancing the ribbon progressively by successive fractional lengths from onel of the reels to the other, and means automzuically operable when a given total .length of ribbon has passed through the printing mechanism for altering the length relation of pay-out and pull-back to cause the ribbon to progress by successive fractional lengths to re-transfer it to its original holder.

l1. A printing machine having a printing mechanism through whichpaper and type plates pass together. in combination with a take-up reel and a pay-out reel arranged one at each side of the printing mechanism and having an inked ribbon extending therebetween and interposed between the paper and type plate, mechanism actuating said take-up l reel and exerting a constant pull on the ribbon in the direction of movement of the paper and type plates, and other n'iechanism operating in timed relation to the printing operations and actuating said pay-out reel for advancing a length of ribbon to the take-up reel simultaneously with the passage of a piece of paper and a type plate through the printing mechanism and at the same speed as the type plate and pieces of paper, and for taking back a ditlerent length of vribbon against the pull of said take-up reel after the passage of a piece of paper and type plate through the printing mechanism, and at a ditferent speed, 'said mechanisms thereby advancing the ribbon progressively by successive fractional lengths 1n one direction, and means automatically operable when a given total length of ribbon has passed through the printing mechanism for changing the length relation of ribbon paid out and pulled hack to cause the ribbon to progress by successive fractional lengths in the opposite direction.

ln witness whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand.y this 22nd day of August, 1910, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' DAVYDD C. HUGHES.

lWitnesses RAY L. EVANS, Encan F. BEAUBIEN. 

